Author of "Damned Lies and Statistics" To Speak at Williams, Oct. 30

Media contact: Noelle Lemoine, communications assistant; tele: (413) 597-4277; email: [email protected]

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., Oct. 23, 2001–Sociologist Joel Best will discuss his new book “Damned Lies and Statistics” on Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 8 p.m. in Goodrich Living Room. Goodrich Hall is located on Main Street in Williamstown. All members of the community are welcome.

Best, chair of the sociology and criminal justice department at the University of Delaware, asserts in his latest work, that although statistics are integral to developing the social policies of the nation, they are often tainted by the naïve and the opportunistic.

He claims statistical misrepresentation is an all too common means of justifying personal and political agendas in contemporary society. The spectrum of issues he addresses includes abortion, teen suicide, homelessness, and the U.S. census.

Best received his Ph.D. from University of California, Berkeley. He has taught at Concordia College, California State University at Fresno, and Southern Illinois University. He is now on the faculty of the University of Delaware.

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